What is a significant disadvantage of nuclear energy?

Nuclear energy is a powerful source of electricity generation, but one of its significant disadvantages lies in the disposal of nuclear waste. When nuclear fuel is used in reactors, it becomes radioactive and remains hazardous for thousands of years. Effective and safe disposal of this waste is challenging and requires careful management to prevent environmental contamination and protect public health.

This involves securing the waste in specialized containers and storing it in deep geological formations or using other long-term storage solutions, which can be costly and complex. Additionally, there is ongoing debate and research about the best methods for managing nuclear waste, reflecting the long-lasting impact and risk associated with it.

In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the disadvantages of nuclear energy. While resource management is required for handling radioactive materials, claiming that it requires little management is misleading. Nuclear energy itself is low in greenhouse gas emissions during operation, making the comparison with fossil fuels misleading, and the assertion about unlimited uranium resources fails to consider the finite nature of uranium mining and extraction. Thus, the challenges associated with nuclear waste disposal stand out as a critical concern within the nuclear energy debate.